A massive gay marriage advocacy effort kicked off across the South on Monday (Feb. 24), as lawmakers and LGBT activists pledged to spend $1 million on a campaign to make strides in the fight to legalize same-sex marriage in the region.

The movement, dubbed "Southerners for the Freedom to Marry," is being spearheaded by "godfather of gay marriage" Evan Wolfson with the help of lawmakers like Democratic Congressman John Lewis of Georgia. Lewis, who played a key role in the fight against racial discrimination and segregation, called the movement to achieve "marriage equality" the next logical step in the civil rights effort.

"I see marriage equality as a step, a necessary step, in completing the long, hard struggle," said Lewis. "I look forward to the day, not just in the state of Georgia, but all across the American South and all across our country, when the question of being free to fall in love and marry whoever you please will no longer be an issue."

"And that day will come -- it will come in America, in our lifetime."

Wolfson, a civil rights lawyer who was named one of TIME's 100 most influential people in 2004, founded Freedom to Marry in 2003. Freedom to Marry will be pivotal in the Southern campaign launched Monday, which will leverage the influence of several congresspeople, state lawmakers and policymakers, as well as 13 regional and national LGBT groups.

Several southern lawmakers in addition to Lewis are involved in the Southern campaign, including Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. No Louisiana lawmakers were listed, but Baton Rouge-based LGBT rights group Equality Louisiana will be heavily involved in the effort.

"The South is making some steps towards equality, but we still have work to do if we want all LGBT people to have the freedom to work, the freedom to live, and the freedom to love," said EQLA President Tim S. West. West's groups is one of two that is hoping pushing a spate of pro-LGBT bills through the state Legislature this year.

Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell has pledged to stand by the state's constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, which was approved by the voters in 2004. Caldwell confirmed Tuesday his office has hired outside counsel to defend the ban against any legal challenges.

No details were available as to exactly how the campaign would spend the $1 million, which a press release simply said would support "significant field and media work over the next year."